Next question from Interfax. Asks why the state is getting involved in "unnecessary" conflicts with rappers. Asks if he isn't worried about losing the support of young people. Putin praises young people, including young "volunteers," scholars, and soldiers. "But you have to respect your own country," including when you are on the Internet, Putin says. Talks about propaganda of drugs and suicide among young people on the Internet and says this can't be allowed because it leads to the "degradation" of the nation.
Next question from a journalist from Japan (with excellent Russian!). Asks about the negotiations on a treaty to end World War II between Russia and Japan. What new ideas can Putin suggest to move bilateral relations forward? Also asks about possible U.S. missile-defense systems in Japan.
Putin discusses conflicts between the United States and Japan regarding the U.S. military base on Okinawa. Putin says Russia is concerned about the placement of U.S. missile-defense in Japan and says Moscow does not consider this a defensive system. "We have no illusions," he said. "We understand what is going on." Nonetheless, Russia is trying to negotiate a peace treaty with Japan because the current situation is "not normal." Says economic ties are improving, but "regularization" is badly needed by both countries.
- By Carl Schreck
More on Dobrokhotov-gate: state-run TASS cites source with press-conference organizers as saying that it's typical that a small number of journalists aren't allowed to attend due to "information from law-enforcement authorities" obtained by the Federal Protection Service.
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, says 99.9 percent of journalists who were accredited are allowed inside, and that others are turned away "based on security concerns," TASS reports.
Dobrokhotov replies: "Putin is afraid of 0.1 percent of journalists."
Next question is from RT. Mentioning Butina and other arrests, asks whether Putin thinks the U.S. is arresting people just to use as bargaining chips later. Putin says Russia is following the fate of its citizens properly, says Butina "was forced to confess to something," "was not carrying out any government orders." "I don't understand why she was arrested," Putin said. "There was no reason." About Skripal, Putin says "thank God" he's alive. Says the whole scandal was just a pretext for attacking Russia and restrain Russia's development as a competitor.
If there hadn't been the Skripals, they would have thought of something else, Putin says about the former Russian spy and daughter poisoning case.
Regional journalist asks about recent regional elections. Says in several regions "opposition" candidates (from approved nonruling parties such as the Communists and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia and now people are afraid their regions will be punished by being cut off from federal aid because of their protest vote. Putin says this question is ridiculous and that the Kremlin will meet with the "opposition" leaders. Says there have been such "opposition" leaders in the regions in the past and it hasn't been a problem working with them. Putin says government will "only help" any elected official.